The number of homeless people who have died in London has increased by 12% since 2023, according to a report by the campaign group Museum of Homelessness.
There were at least 309 confirmed deaths in the capital – the highest of any town or city in the UK. London also had the highest rate of reported deaths among homeless people in the UK.
Exclusive data obtained by City News has revealed that Newham, Enfield and Lambeth were the worst-affected boroughs. In Newham alone, 31 homeless people died last year.
James Turtle, the director of the Museum of Homelessness, said: “In many cases it is not possible to determine which borough someone’s death should be attributed to.” This means that in some cases, deaths were not reflected in the borough-level statistics.
‘We don’t know the names of many of the dead’
Last week, a candlelit vigil was held on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields near Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 1,611 people who died of homelessness across the country.
Around 55% of the recorded deaths were classified as ‘deaths of despair,’ with fatalities linked to suicide now exceeding those caused by drugs or alcohol.
The names of 276 people were read aloud – but we don’t know the names of over 1,300 people who died.
Candles were lit to commemorate each of those who have died. (Image credit: Izzy Airey)
Lewis Brown, who is a volunteer at the Museum of Homelessness, told City News that the “more people we can remember by name, the more humanising the data is.”
Jess Turtle, the co-founder and director at the Museum of Homelessness, called on the government to take “more decisive action in tackling empty homes.”
She claimed: “There are enough vacant properties in London to give everyone sleeping rough a home.”
Councils ‘spend over £5m a day on helping the homeless’
In the wake of the report, the government pledged that London councils would receive further funding, budgeting £36.5 million to tackle the crisis.
However, London Councils, which represents all 32 boroughs in the capital, revealed that councils already spend an average of £5.5 million a day on homelessness – a 42% increase since 2023.
Housing minister Samantha Dixon told MPs yesterday that “more empty homes would be brought back into use across the country”, saying that Labour aims to “strengthen the ability of local authorities to take over the management of vacant residential properties.”
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Credit: MHCLG)
Announcing an extra £84 million for councils to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said, “Homelessness crisis in the UK has been too high for too long. This has to stop.”
The government has said it will be working with the Mayor of London on further support to tackle the crisis.
Sadiq Khan said: “I have always been clear that no one should have to sleep rough on our streets.
“I will continue to work closely with the government and partners to ensure those most in need receive the support they deserve.”
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HeadlineLondon records highest number of homeless fatalities in UK
Short HeadlineLondon records highest number of homeless fatalities in UK
StandfirstThe capital has both the highest number and rate of homeless deaths in the UK, according to data gathered by campaigners
The number of homeless people who have died in London has increased by 12% since 2023, according to a report by the campaign group Museum of Homelessness.
There were at least 309 confirmed deaths in the capital – the highest of any town or city in the UK. London also had the highest rate of reported deaths among homeless people in the UK.
Exclusive data obtained by City News has revealed that Newham, Enfield and Lambeth were the worst-affected boroughs. In Newham alone, 31 homeless people died last year.
James Turtle, the director of the Museum of Homelessness, said: “In many cases it is not possible to determine which borough someone’s death should be attributed to.” This means that in some cases, deaths were not reflected in the borough-level statistics.
‘We don’t know the names of many of the dead’
Last week, a candlelit vigil was held on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields near Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 1,611 people who died of homelessness across the country.
Around 55% of the recorded deaths were classified as ‘deaths of despair,’ with fatalities linked to suicide now exceeding those caused by drugs or alcohol.
The names of 276 people were read aloud – but we don’t know the names of over 1,300 people who died.
Candles were lit to commemorate each of those who have died. (Image credit: Izzy Airey)
Lewis Brown, who is a volunteer at the Museum of Homelessness, told City News that the “more people we can remember by name, the more humanising the data is.”
Jess Turtle, the co-founder and director at the Museum of Homelessness, called on the government to take “more decisive action in tackling empty homes.”
She claimed: “There are enough vacant properties in London to give everyone sleeping rough a home.”
Councils ‘spend over £5m a day on helping the homeless’
In the wake of the report, the government pledged that London councils would receive further funding, budgeting £36.5 million to tackle the crisis.
However, London Councils, which represents all 32 boroughs in the capital, revealed that councils already spend an average of £5.5 million a day on homelessness – a 42% increase since 2023.
Housing minister Samantha Dixon told MPs yesterday that “more empty homes would be brought back into use across the country”, saying that Labour aims to “strengthen the ability of local authorities to take over the management of vacant residential properties.”
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Credit: MHCLG)
Announcing an extra £84 million for councils to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said, “Homelessness crisis in the UK has been too high for too long. This has to stop.”
The government has said it will be working with the Mayor of London on further support to tackle the crisis.
Sadiq Khan said: “I have always been clear that no one should have to sleep rough on our streets.
“I will continue to work closely with the government and partners to ensure those most in need receive the support they deserve.”
